Daily Life in Plymouth Colony
Daily life in Plymouth Colony was different than what you may have learned of the Pilgrims.
First of all, one of the myths that has always stuck with the Pilgrims was that they always wore black and white. That is certainly not true. In fact, they only wore black and white on Sundays or special occasions. They usually wore earthy tones such as greens, browns, maroon, and darker colors like that.
Their clothes were usually made of linen, wool, or for the very highest of class: cotton. Men wore the traditional hat, breeches, and shirts without a collar and no belt that we usually picture them wearing. Women usually wore an undergarment and an overgarment. Children (girls and boys age eight and under) usually wore a gown or dress-like garment.
The laws in Plymouth Colony were made by a Governor and his Seven Assistants. Every March the group would meet and make laws for the colony. These people were selected by the General Court. The General Court was made of colony members. The Grand Jury was the highest standing group in the colony and they decided what to do with the criminals.
The money of the colony was the British Pound (Li). Taxes were called rates. Every man, for rates, had to pay a bushel of Indian wheat or the equivalent in British pounds.
When the Pilgrims first arrived their homes were tents or dugouts. They quickly built a more permanent structures called huts. Finally, they learned to build log cabins from the Swedes.
The women of Plymouth Colony seemed to have more importance than in other colonies. Although married women were not allowed hold land, goods, or positions of authority. Single women and widows did have some of these rights. Sometimes widows were even looked upon for advice.
While eating the children could not sit down. During a meal children were not allowed to speak. On Sunday Colonial families ate baked beans. The mother of the family would start baking the beans on Saturday night. She would put molasses and a piece of salt pork, along with the beans into a pot called a bake kettle. She would leave the beans in the fireplace all night. In the morning they were ready to eat.
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Content by: Michael S. Page designed by: Tyler K.